A Karnal civil judge had a providential escape after a middle-aged man made three futile attempts to shoot him inside a court room on Friday.

A Karnal civil judge had a providential escape after a middle-aged man made three futile attempts to shoot him inside a court room on Friday.

It was 3.30 pm, and civil judge, senior division Hemraj Verma was conducting court proceedings when the accused, who was later identified as one Surinder Sharma, barged into the court room. He made his way to the witness box, pulled out a country-made pistol and shot at Verma. When the pistol did not go off the first time, he made two more attempts before being overpowered by several lawyers and police personnel.

Lawyer Shadi Ram, who was present at the time of the incident, told HT that Sharma had appeared frustrated and was hurling abuses at the judge immediately before he whipped out his pistol.

Deputy Superindent of Police, Karnal, Surinder Singh said Sharma has been arrested for attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy. Initial probe has revealed that the accused was frustrated because of long delays in judicial functioning, he said. The incident has raised a lot of questions about the security arrangements within the court complex.